MLB Power Rankings Week 4: Who’s No. 1 one month in?

We’re nearly to the one-month mark of the 2024 MLB season, and whereas it is nonetheless too early to offer an excessive amount of credence to the standings, there are a variety of unusual groups close to the highest — and backside.

We’re not even out of April but, and there is a lengthy season forward, however few would have thought the Astros can be on the backside of their division — a division that features the A’s. Meanwhile, the Guardians have been one of the perfect groups in all of baseball, with a major-league-leading run differential.

Both are on the transfer in our Power Rankings too, as Cleveland is inching nearer to the highest 5, and Houston has fallen additional, all the way in which all the way down to No. 22.

Can these golf equipment carry — or change — their momentum going into May?

Our knowledgeable panel has mixed to rank each group in baseball primarily based on a mixture of what we have seen to date and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that could be a full baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB consultants David Schoenfield, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers, Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo to weigh in with an statement for all 30 groups.

Week 3 | Preseason rankings

Record: 17-6

Previous rating: 1

Marcell Ozuna‘s efficiency this April is in stark distinction to that of final April, when he hit .085 with two RBIs and there was speak of the Braves releasing him. This yr, Ozuna is behind simply Mike Trout in house runs with 9, ranks first within the majors in RBIs (29) and ranks second to Shohei Ohtani in OPS (1.094). Ozuna is placing out simply 15.8% of the time, which might be a profession greatest and a big drop of virtually seven proportion factors from final season. There’s no good technique to assault him proper now: He’s raking in opposition to four-seam fastballs, however six of his homers have come in opposition to off-speed pitches. — Schoenfield

Record: 16-8

Previous rating: 4

The speak the previous few years in Baltimore has been in regards to the Orioles’ blindingly shiny future. Well, that future is right here. The Orioles are World Series contenders with a deep, explosive lineup that includes one 30-year-old common. Gunnar Henderson (23) is constructing an MVP case. Adley Rutschman (26) continues displaying he’s one of the highest catchers within the majors. Jordan Westburg (25) and Colton Cowser (24), two under-the-radar prospects, are mashing from the underside half of the order. Heston Kjerstad (25), the No. 2 draft choose in 2020 and Kiley McDaniel’s 48th-ranked prospect, was simply referred to as up. The weakest hyperlink within the lineup to date is essentially the most hyped of all of them: Jackson Holliday (20). But Holliday, the consensus No. 1 prospect within the sport, will finally determine it out. When he does, the Orioles will probably be a nightmare for pitchers. — Castillo

Record: 15-11

Previous rating: 2

Mookie Betts, a six-time Gold Glove Award winner in proper subject, went into the 2024 season because the Dodgers’ every-day second baseman. Then Gavin Lux‘s throwing points resurfaced, and Betts transitioned to shortstop — arguably essentially the most demanding place on the sphere and one Betts hasn’t performed since, nicely, highschool — on a semi-every-day foundation. He has been proper round common defensively, at the least based on outs above common. And on offense, Betts has been on an absolute tear, slashing .365/.468/.625 with six house runs and a major-league-leading 20 walks whereas hitting in entrance of Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Betts is an early favourite for his second MVP. — Gonzalez

Record: 17-8

Previous rating: 3

Juan Soto, a well-liked choose to win the American League MVP Award earlier than Opening Day, has proved invaluable for the Yankees a month into the season. He has been the regular presence in an in any other case inconsistent lineup, rapidly winning over fans in the Bronx together with his swagger and luxury within the highlight. He is working counts. He is clubbing clutch house runs. He has even performed some good protection in proper subject. The soon-to-be free agent is the every-day stalwart for a membership off to a promising begin regardless of Gerrit Cole touchdown on the injured record and Aaron Judge not producing at his typical level. The Yankees want Cole wholesome and Judge raking to achieve their titles aspirations, however they’re profitable video games with Soto main the cost. — Castillo

Record: 15-10

Previous rating: 6

OK, whereas they did come in opposition to the lowly White Sox, Spencer Turnbull took a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Friday, and Zack Wheeler took a no-hitter into the eighth the very subsequent evening. During the group’s seven-game profitable streak, the starters pitched 51⅔ innings and allowed simply 4 earned runs (0.70 ERA). Yes, six of these video games got here in opposition to the Rockies and White Sox, however at the least the Phillies are off to the great begin that eluded them the previous two seasons. Ranger Suarez is 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA and in line for National League Pitcher of the Month honors for April. — Schoenfield

Record: 17-7

Previous rating: 8

While the bullpen continues to dominate and the rotation obtained current good outings from Xzavion Curry and Ben Lively, the shocking facet of the Guardians’ sizzling begin is an offense that ranks among the many greatest within the AL in runs, on-base proportion and slugging — whereas additionally rating close to the highest of the majors in batting common with runners in scoring place. Leading the way in which: Josh Naylor, hitting .306 with six house runs and 20 RBIs. Going again to May 13, 2023, Naylor leads all hitters in batting common, forward of Freeman and Luis Arraez. — Schoenfield

Record: 15-8

Previous rating: 9

The Brewers’ resiliency is the story of their first month. Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes aren’t right here? No drawback. Christian Yelich goes down? We bought it coated. Milwaukee is on the prime of the NL Central resulting from an opportunistic offense and a pitching workers that has survived roster turnover. If there’s a face to this group, it is catcher/DH William Contreras. He’s hitting .359 with an OPS of .983, which is among the many greatest within the NL — and now, the historically power-weak Brewers rank close to the highest of the majors in house runs to date. That is perhaps the true story of their first month. — Rogers

Record: 15-9

Previous rating: 7

Injuries have been a giant a part of the Cubs’ season so far; most just lately, they misplaced two middle-of-the order bats. Seiya Suzuki went down with an oblique injury final week then Cody Bellinger suffered two cracked ribs Tuesday when working into the brick wall at Wrigley Field. Add in Justin Steele‘s Opening Day hamstring pressure, Jameson Taillon‘s delayed begin resulting from a again ailment and Kyle Hendricks now showing on the IL and it looks like this group has had a season stuffed with points already. But they’ve survived and are nonetheless within the thick of the NL Central race heading into May. — Rogers

Record: 13-12

Previous rating: 5

Entering the season, the betting markets noticed a three-way race for AL Rookie of the Year between Baltimore’s Jackson Holliday and Texas’ Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter. Holliday has actually struggled out of the gate beneath a shiny highlight, however Langford and Carter even have began slowly on the plate. Carter has contributed lots within the subject and on the bases and has drawn 10 walks (tied for the group lead), however he’s off to a .215 begin on the dish and nonetheless has finished nothing in opposition to lefties. (He’s 1-for-23 in his profession in opposition to southpaws.) Langford has held his personal, however as laborious as he hits the ball, he’s nonetheless in search of his first homer and has simply 4 extra-base hits. As for that awards race, it is approach too early to declare the betting markets have been unsuitable, however May will probably be massive for all the struggling rookies. — Doolittle

Record: 13-12

Previous rating: 12

It’s only a month into the season, however Vladimir Guerrero Jr.‘s decline from AL MVP runner-up in 2021 has continued to this point. The three-time All-Star is batting .219 with a .674 OPS, which is down from .788 final season, which was down from .818 in 2022, which was down from 1.002 in 2021. Defensively, the previous third baseman price the Blue Jays a win in opposition to the Royals on Tuesday when he dropped a routine throw at first base. Toronto stays over .500 regardless of a unfavourable run differential, due to a stingy beginning rotation led by Jose Berrios‘s 0.85 ERA in 5 begins. Offensively, Justin Turner (.319/.414/.500) and Daulton Varsho (six house runs) have been the celebs, however Toronto will not compete within the AL East if Guerrero would not carry out like one. — Castillo

Record: 12-14

Previous rating: 10

The Diamondbacks made quite a few notable enhancements to their lineup and their rotation coming off a shocking World Series run, however one space they did not actually deal with was the bullpen. And to date, that has backfired. They have blown six saves already this season, trailing solely the Pirates, Marlins and Rays. Their 4.09 bullpen ERA ranks twentieth, they usually’ve suffered a major-league-leading 10 losses when main after the sixth inning. Closer Paul Sewald, who has been out with a strained indirect, is nearing his return. That ought to definitely assist — however others must step up. — Gonzalez

Record: 14-10

Previous rating: 16

Elly De La Cruz (*1*), main the Reds in house runs and stolen bases, and it is not even shut. He has improved all elements of his recreation, together with his strikeout-to-walk ratio, which sits at about 2-to-1. He might be among the many early favorites for NL MVP after producing a 1.400-plus OPS over the previous week. He’s the face of a younger and thrilling group that must be within the NL Central race to the tip. — Rogers

Record: 15-10

Previous rating: 13

While their run prevention has remained constant, the Royals misplaced 4 of 5 throughout a current stretch largely resulting from a sputtering offense. Even so, there are indicators that the downturn is partially the results of a spate of ailing fortune. During a nine-game stretch by which they managed simply 3.3 runs per recreation, Kansas City’s hitters nonetheless ranked ninth in common exit velocity. One wrongdoer of the scoring drought was batting common on balls in play (BABIP): Their .221 mark throughout that span belied all that onerous contact. Chances are, if the Royals simply maintain hitting the ball laborious collectively, the scoring will tick again up. — Doolittle

Record: 12-12

Previous rating: 21

Seattle’s offense has carried out at round a league-average charge this season when you consider ballpark changes, which admittedly can skew views early on. But regardless of the Mariners’ actual offensive degree is perhaps, one clear shortfall has emerged. They have largely platooned full time at a few spots — left subject and third base — and have two every-day change hitters in Jorge Polanco and Cal Raleigh. There are additionally three every-day righty hitters: Mitch Haniger, Ty France and Mitch Garver. Despite all of these appears from the suitable aspect of the dish, these righties have struggled mightily in opposition to left-handed pitching. The righty platooners, Luis Urias and Dylan Moore, additionally haven’t carried out. If this continues, Seattle won’t be shy about shuffling the deck. — Doolittle

Record: 14-11

Previous rating: 18

Remember all that horrible damage luck the Yankees skilled final season? It appears like they handed that misfortune alongside to their rivals. The Red Sox are banged up — badly. The newest casualty is the up-and-coming star Triston Casas. The first baseman goes to miss significant time due to a fractured rib after mashing six house runs in 22 video games.

Boston already has misplaced Lucas Giolito (elbow) and Trevor Story (shoulder) for the season. Nick Pivetta is out indefinitely with an elbow damage. All-Star Rafael Devers has missed time for 2 totally different accidents. Vaughn Grissom is on rehab task after beginning the season on the IL, whereas Tyler O’Neill just lately got here off it. All that earlier than the tip of April. The Red Sox are nonetheless hanging round behind surprisingly nice beginning pitching. But it is early, and the AL East will not be forgiving. — Castillo

Record: 14-13

Previous rating: 11

The Padres knew they have been going to chop prices over the offseason. They knew they’d start the yr with some holes of their lineup. And they knew some gamers wanted to step up in a giant technique to fill them. One of these guys has been Jackson Merrill, the 21-year-old lifetime shortstop who transitioned to middle subject throughout spring coaching and already appears like he belongs within the main leagues. Just 27 video games into his profession, Merrill is slashing .318/.378/.409 and has been value two outs above common at a demanding place that was international to him not too way back. More importantly, although, he has added some much-needed depth to the Padres’ lineup. — Gonzalez

Record: 13-11

Previous rating: 20

Catcher Francisco Alvarez is expected to miss about eight weeks after present process surgical procedure to restore a torn ligament in his left thumb, placing his return in late June. He was injured after stumbling round first base at Dodger Stadium final week. Backup Omar Narvaez takes over because the common starter and tasks as an offensive downgrade (though Alvarez had been off to a gradual begin). Narvaez has hit simply .208 with a .591 OPS over the earlier two seasons and .188 in his first 11 video games of 2024. Tomas Nido is again because the reserve catcher — and he owns a profession OPS+ of 55. With Nido, Joey Wendle and Zack Short, the Mets’ bench is fairly skinny proper now. — Schoenfield

Record: 14-11

Previous rating: 19

Many noticed this because the yr when Tarik Skubal would emerge as a professional, front-of-the-rotation starter, and to date, that has definitely been the case. The Tigers’ 27-year-old left-hander allowed three singles and nothing else in six shutout innings in opposition to the Rays on Monday, decreasing his ERA to 1.82 by way of his first 5 begins. He has coupled that with 0.74 walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP) and a 7.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Tigers seem like they may stay aggressive throughout the AL Central all summer season, and Skubal is the most important purpose. As Tigers supervisor AJ Hinch mentioned of Skubal, “The stuff is off-the-charts good.” — Gonzalez

Record: 13-13

Previous rating: 15

The Rays have innovated their technique to the postseason every of the previous 5 years, staying forward of the curve to problem the trade’s heavyweights with a few of the lowest payrolls within the sport. But too many accidents are an insurmountable drawback for even the neatest franchises, and the Rays may need reached that threshold.

They have six pitchers and 5 place gamers on the IL, together with two-time All-Star starter Shane McClanahan; right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who posted a 2.78 in 36 begins over the previous two seasons; left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who has a 2.53 ERA since becoming a member of the Rays earlier than the 2021 marketing campaign; bullpen stalwart Pete Fairbanks; and every-day gamers Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe. Without them, Tampa is in final place within the AL East, one recreation beneath .500 with a minus-24 run differential. It’s early. If any group can dig itself out of the opening, it is the Rays. But in some unspecified time in the future, too many accidents are an excessive amount of to beat. — Castillo

Record: 13-12

Previous rating: 14

Rookie Jared Jones is the story of the Pirates in April. The second-round 2020 draft choose has made 5 begins, and all have been spectacular. Just 22 years outdated, Jones gave up 20 hits in his first 29 innings whereas strolling solely 4 batters. His ERA is a strong 2.79, and he hasn’t allowed a single stolen base off him. He has been a rock on a group that bought off to a quick begin and hopes to hold across the playoff race longer than it did final season. If Jones can stick with it, the Pirates would possibly be capable of maintain some success, one thing that has eluded them over the previous few years. — Rogers

Record: 12-14

Previous rating: 25

The Giants modified the dynamic of their offseason in March by signing two high-profile free brokers in Matt Chapman and Blake Snell. So far, although, San Francisco has needed to take in their gradual begins, a possible byproduct of their restricted time to organize for the common season. Snell allowed 15 runs in 11⅔ innings by way of his first three begins and on Wednesday was placed on the IL with an adductor strain. Chapman, in the meantime, has been a below-average hitter, slashing .228/.278/.416 with 4 house runs in his first 26 video games. Needless to say, the Giants want much more from them in the event that they hope to beat a crowded NL West. — Gonzalez

Record: 7-18

Previous rating: 17

Things are unhealthy in Houston. A loss on the Cubs on Wednesday dropped the Astros to 11 video games beneath .500, depths to which Houston had not sunk since May 2016. Injuries to the rotation are definitely a part of the story, as solely the woeful Rockies and White Sox have hemorrhaged runs at a extra speedy tempo this season.

But an offense that has been so persistently elite over the previous decade bears blame, as nicely. Houston has scored nicely beneath the league-average charge early on, and a few of the particular person performances border on alarming, particularly that of former MVP Jose Abreu. Over the Astros’ first 19 video games, Abreu went a surprising 4-for-62 with one extra-base hit (a double). When he received the MVP award for the White Sox in 2020, his hard-hit charge was 53.3%, based on Baseball Reference. So far in 2024, his hard-hit charge is lower than half that. — Doolittle

Record: 10-13

Previous rating: 23

It was no secret coming into the season that the Twins’ three greatest place gamers — Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton — carried troubling damage histories. One month in, Buxton is the one wholesome one of the trio. Lewis did not final three innings earlier than suffering a severe quad strain on Opening Day. Two weeks later, Correa joined him on the IL with an intercostal strain. Max Kepler, one other key bat, was activated this week after lacking 13 video games with a knee contusion. Unsurprisingly, the Twins’ offense has faltered. They rank within the backside 5 of the majors in runs scored per recreation, batting common, on-base proportion and slugging proportion. As a outcome, they’re already 6.5 video games behind the surging Guardians within the AL Central. — Castillo

Record: 11-14

Previous rating: 22

As predicted by, nicely, nearly everybody, the Cardinals are having points on the mound. It’s the identical drawback they’d final season, and although Lance Lynn has been OK general, their beginning workers is not getting it finished. They have an ERA within the backside third within the NL, and solely Sonny Gray has appeared dominant. Like final season, Miles Mikolas is throwing batting observe, Kyle Gibson is displaying his age and Steven Matz is having his personal struggles, as his ERA ballooned to five.55 after giving up 12 runs over his previous two begins. That rotation — minus Gray, who has solely pitched in three video games — has outlined St. Louis to date. — Rogers

Record: 10-13

Previous rating: 26

Welcome to the large leagues, Mitchell Parker. The 24-year-old lefty has allowed simply two runs in 12 innings throughout his first two outings — dealing with the Dodgers and Astros, no much less. Against Houston, he fanned eight in seven innings, recording 4 of the strikeouts together with his splitter, whereas permitting simply three hits. His fastball has averaged 92 mph, so he is not overpowering. But he has been throwing strikes, as he hasn’t issued any walks — an issue for him within the minors final yr, when he averaged 4.4 walks per 9. Parker is not a heralded prospect; he did not make McDaniel’s preseason prospect rankings for the Nationals. But a rebuilding group corresponding to Washington wants a participant like this to pop up and switch right into a invaluable contributor. — Schoenfield

Record: 10-15

Previous rating: 24

Mike Trout is working higher than he has in a number of years and hitting the ball as laborious as ever, main the majors in house runs with 10. He is also averaging round a half-an-RBI per recreation. Some of that’s the Angels’ lineup, and a few of it has been Trout himself. He started the season by going 1-for-14 in high-leverage conditions, 2-for-19 with runners in scoring place and 0-for-7 with runners in scoring place and two outs. One potential resolution? Bat Trout leadoff, as supervisor Ron Washington had him do on Tuesday. Trout led off that recreation by homering, the primary time he had finished that since Sept. 28, 2012. — Doolittle

Record: 9-16

Previous rating: 27

We cannot write about Mason Miller each week. Sorry, A’s followers. We might write about starter Paul Blackburn, if we needed to maintain issues constructive. Alas, it could actually’t be all sunshine and roses in regards to the flailing A’s. The lineup is not constructed to put up excessive batting averages, however what has occurred to date is especially outstanding. Of Oakland’s prime 12 hitters in plate appearances, eight of them have hit beneath .200, together with seven who qualify within the proportion classes. The file for many sub-.200 hitters (minimal 300 plate appearances) on one group is three, and the final time that occurred was in 1910. We’ve bought a protracted technique to go, however there’s a actual likelihood right here for the A’s to make some historical past. Even extra outstanding: Thanks to the White Sox, Oakland is not even final in MLB in batting common. — Doolittle

Record: 6-20

Previous rating: 28

This sums up the Marlins’ begin to 2024: On Monday in opposition to Atlanta, they started the sport with a single, a single and a double — and failed to attain within the inning. Luis Arraez was on second on Jazz Chisholm Jr.‘s double off the wall in right-center subject however went again to tag up. With Bryan De La Cruz on his heels, Arraez needed to head house and bought thrown out by 40 ft. The subsequent two batters did not get a run in, and the Marlins ended up dropping 3-0. They then bought shut out once more Tuesday. Last yr, they discovered methods to win shut video games. This yr, they’re simply dropping ugly. — Schoenfield

Record: 6-19

Previous rating: 29

Kyle Freeland, the Rockies’ Opening Day starter, allowed a whopping 17 runs in his first 5⅔ innings to start the season. He started to spherical again into kind over his third and fourth begin, decreasing his ERA from 27.00 to 13.21. On April 15, he was then used as a pinch runner and was shaken up after getting thrown out at house within the ninth inning. Four days later, he was placed on the IL with an elbow strain. The Rockies mentioned the damage was unrelated; it occurred, they added, throughout a begin the day earlier than working the bases. But it was a reminder, maybe, that it may be one other lengthy yr in Denver. — Gonzalez

Record: 3-21

Previous rating: 30

Losing. Lots of dropping outlined the White Sox in April. Much of it by design, as they turned over all their catchers from final season and each pitcher save one. But no one might have imagined being shutout eight instances of their first 22 video games. The White Sox rank final in runs scored per recreation and are tied for second to final in runs given up — behind solely the Rockies, who play in essentially the most hitter pleasant ballpark in MLB. Perhaps there’s assistance on the way in which, as Mike Clevinger and Tommy Pham will make their season debuts quickly. But nothing can erase the horrendous play of the primary month. — Rogers